Apr 13 1962
From The Space Library
NASA announced the X-15 bad been assigned a service function in aeronautical and space research beyond its original role as an experimental test vehicle. The National Research Airplane Committee, composed of NASA, USAF, and USN delegates, had approved a series of experiments including ultraviolet stellar photography, horizon scanning for research on accurate horizon sensing in space vehicles, atmospheric density and micrometeorite measurements, and evaluation of advanced systems and structures.
In a NASA press conference on the X-15 additional research program, Mr. John Stack, NASA's Director of Aeronautical Research, said: . . when I was talking about the total research airplane program, this started really because two men in high positions in a time of great stress also had time to think of the future, and I refer to General Arnold and Dr. George W. Lewis. And when this approach, this sort of thing, was put to them in late '42—and you can readily appreciate General Arnold and Mr. Lewis were pretty busy men at that time—they did under the stress of all that find time to think also of the future. And this kind of a program that has progressed is a kind of a monument to the foresight of those two men."
NASA Administrator James E. Webb, addressing the National Conference of the American Society for Public Administration in Detroit, said: "No new department or agency in the recent history of the Executive Branch of the Federal Government was created through the transfer of as many units from other departments and agencies as in the case of NASA. Three and one half years ago, NASA did not exist. Today NASA comprises approximately 20,500 employees, ten major field centers, and an annual budget approaching the $2 billion mark." Dr. Edward C. Welsh, Executive Secretary of the National Aeronautics and Space Council, was awarded the Arnold Air Society's trophy as the civilian who had made the most outstanding contribution to aerospace science and national security in 1961.
April 13-14: U.S. Army claimed two world flight records for time-to-climb in a helicopter in flights made at Fort Worth, Texas. On April 13, Capt. Boyce B. Buckner (USA) piloted a YHU-1D Iroquois helicopter to 6,000 meters (19,686 ft.) in 5 min. 51 sec. On April 14, Lt. Col. Leland F. Wilhelm (USA) took the turbine-powered helicopter to 3,000 meters (9,843 ft.) in 2 min. 14.6 sec.
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